Cellar door



P 17, 1963 E. v. WYATT, JR 3,103,996

CELLAR DOOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 2; 1961 INVENTOR. ERNEST 1 WmTr, m

A 7' TORNE Y5 P 17, 1963 E. v. WYATT, JR 3,103,996

CELLAR DOOR Filed Feb. 2, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent3,103,996 CELLAR DOGR Ernest V. Wyatt, In, West Hartford, Conn, assignorto The Gordon Manufacturing Co., Inc., Farmington, Comm, a corporationof Connecticut Filed Feb. 2, 1961, Ser. No. 86,631 Claims. (Cl. 18946)This invention relates to a metallic cellar door construction and has asits general object the provision of a cellar door construction whereinhinge and spring elements for biasing doors toward open positions are soconstructed and arranged as to provide a wholly unobstructed dooropening.

Another and more specific object of the invention resides in theprovision of an improved top frame member or head plate constructionwhich features a simple, easily assembled, waterproof joint between saidmember or plate and opposing side frame members of the doorconstruction.

The drawings show a preferred embodiment of the invention and suchembodiment will be described, but it will be understood that variouschanges may be made from the construction disclosed, and that thedrawings and description are not to be construed as defining or limitingthe scope of the invention, the claims forming a part of thisspecification being relied upon for that purpose.

Of the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a metallic cellar door constructionembodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective showing a portion of oneside frame member and a portion of a top frame member or head plate.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective showing a portion of asill plate, a portion of one side frame member, and a portion of onedoor.

FIG. 4' is a fragmentary longitudinal section taken generally asindicated at 4-4 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary transverse section with background parts omittedtaken generally as indicated by the line 55 in FIG. 4.

FlG. 6 is a section similar to FIG. 5 but with the door in a closedposition.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective of a portion of one side framemember and one door showing a connecting hinge.

P16. 8 is a fragmentary transverse section taken generally as indicatedby the line S8 in FIG. 4 with background parts omitted.

P16. 9 is a fragmentary transverse section taken generally as indicatedby the line 99 in FIG. 4 with background parts omitted.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary transverse section taken generally as indicatedby the line 1il1tl in FIG. 1 with background parts omitted.

in accordance with the present invention, the cellar door constructioncomprises similar left and right-hand sheet metal side frame members anda sheet metal top frame member or head plate. In the drawings, left andright-hand side frame members are indicated respectively at it) and 12and a top frame member or head plate is indicated generally at 14. Theside frame members it and 12 shown have similar substantially verticalside walls 16 and 13 and similar inwardly projecting narrowlongitudinally extending top walls 2t) and 22. The lefthand top wall 29'carries an integrally formed and longitudinally extending upright flange24 at its inner edge and the right-hand top wall 22 has an integrallyformed longitudinally extending upright flange 26 along its inner edge.As shown, each of the side walls 16' and d8 is 3 ,103,995 Patented Sept.17, 1963 syn triangular in shape and its correspondingtop wall isinclined downwardly from the horizontal. However, side frame memberswith side walls of various shapes, and even frame members without sidewalls, may be provided Within the scope of the invention.

The side frame members 10 and 1 2 shown are adapted to be used with afoundation and stair well of concrete or the like which has a generallyhorizontal upper surface such as the foundation 28 shown. Rear edges ofthe side walls 16 and 18 of the side frame members abut the side wall 30of a residential or other structure and they are preferably providedwith inwardly projecting flanges 32, 32, one shown. The lower edges ofthe side walls 16 and 18 rest on the side portions of the foundation 28and said lower edges are also preferably provided with inwardlyprojecting flanges 34, 34, one shown.

The top frame member or head plate 14 extends transversely between upperend portions of the top walls 20 and 22 of the side frame members '10and 12. As best shown in FIG. 2, said frame member or head plate has abody portion 36 which can be attached flatly to the top walls 20 and 22at opposite ends by means of suitable bolts 38, 38, two shown. At a rearedge portion of the body .36, an upright transversely extending flangeit} is provided and said flange is preferably angularly related with thebody portion 36 so as to align flatly with the rear edge surfaces of theside walls 16 and 18 of the left and right-hand frame members it) and12. Said flange 4b can thus be flatly engaged with a side wall 30 of aresidential or other structure as illustrated in FIG. 1.

There is also formed on the body portion 36 of the top frame member orhead plate -14 and, along the front or lower edge thereof, a secondupright transversely extending flange 42. The flange 42 extends betweenand over the upper end portions of the flanges 24 and 26 on the sideframe members 10 and 12. Moreover, and as best shown in FIG. 2, theflange 42 is bent at right angles at opposite end portions 44, 44-, oneshown, so as to extend downwardly along the outer surface of saidflanges 24 and 26. Thus, it will be seen that the joint between the sideflanges 2d and 2dand the flange 42 is substantially waterproof. Rainwater or water derived from melting snow cannot pass inwardly throughsaid joint to the door opening, but will instead be directed downwardlyalong the top walls 26 and 2.2 outwardly of the flanges 24 and 2d.

The metallic door construction preferably also includes a sill plate 46which is formed of sheet metal and which is preferably of a channelcross section. The sill plate 46 has upstanding flanges 48-, 48, oneshown, at opposite ends and is preferably connected with lower endportions of the flanges 24 and 26 by means of bolts 50, 50 passingthrough suitable openings in the flanges 48, 48 and the flanges 2'4. and26. Preferably a single bolt is used to connect the sill plate to theside frame members 10 and 12 at each end of the sill plate. Thisprovides for easy pivotal adjustment of the sill plate as may berequired by uneven or inclined foundations.

From the foregoing it will be readily apparent that a frame assemblycomprising the side frame members 10 and 12, the top frame member orhead plate 14,.and the sill plate 46 can be readily secured in positionas shown in FIG. 1. One or more doors may thereafter be readily mountedover the generally rectangular door opening which is thus provided in adownwardly inclined attitude. As shown, left and right-hand doors 52 and54 are provided and said doors are of similar sheet metal constructionin generally rectangular form. I,

In further accord with the present invention, each of the doors 52 and54 is provided with a depending marginal flange along at least one sideedge portion thereof. As shown, each of the doors 52 and 54 is providedwith a depending marginal flange along each of its four side edgeportions. The left-hand door 52 has an outer flange 56, an inner flange58, a top flange, not shown, and a bottom flange 60. The right-hand door54 has an outer flange 62, an inner flange '64, a top flange 66, and abottom flange 68. Still further in accord with the invention, each ofthe doors 52 and 54 is constructed so that its outer flange is spacedtransversely outwardly from but disposed in parallel relationship withthe corresponding flange on a side frame member when the door is in aclosed position. More specifically, the outer flange 56 of the door 52is disposed in parallel relationship with the flange 24 on the sideframe member but is spaced outwardly therefrom when the door 52 is in aclosed position. The outer flange 62 on the door 54 is disposed inparalell relationship with the flange 26, but is spaced outwardlytherefrom when the said door is in a closed position. This relationshipof the door and frame flanges is well illustrated in FIG. 6 wherein theflange 62 is shown in transversely spaced relationship with the flange26 on the side frame member 12.

As best shown in FIG. 4, the outer flange 64 on the door 54 has a narrowdownwardly open slot 70 at an upper end portion to receive the flange 42on the top frame member 14 when the door is in a closed position. Theleft-hand door 52 has a similar slot (not shown) formed in its innerflange 58 and which serves a similar function. Further, the inner flange58 of the left-hand door 52 is generally U-shaped as best illustrated inFIG. 10 and said flange receives the inner flange 62 on the right-handdoor 54 when the doors are in closed positions. A small rain shield ortab 72 at the upper inner corner of the right-hand door 54 preventsleakage through the slots 70, 70 in the inner flanges of the left andright-hand doors. Rain water or water derived from melting snow thusflows downwardly within the U-shaped flange 58 and is dischargedharmlessly at the lower end of said flange without entering the dooropening.

Still further in accord with the present invention, each of the doors 52and 54 is provided with a hinge and spring assembly which provides forfree swinging movement of the doors relative to the frame and a biasingaction toward the open positions of the doors and which entails noobstruction of the door opening whatsoever. As mentioned above, theouter door flanges 56 and 62 are spaced outwardly from the frame flanges24 and 26. The said hinge and spring assemblies are disposed whollywithin the spaces between said flanges and have no projecting partswhich extend inwardly of the flanges 24 and 26 into the door opening.Thus, a person such as an occupant of a residence equipped with thecellar door construction will not encounter the inconvenience orannoyance of inadvertently bumping against or catching clothes onsprings, hinges, or other projections in passing through the dooropening.

Preferably the hinge and spring assemblies for each of the doors 52 and54 are identical and it is therefore necessary only to fully show anddescribe one of said assemblies. In FIG. 4 the complete hinge and springassembly for the right-hand door 54 is illustrated with the door in anopen position. The assembly comprises an upper hinge indicated generallyat 74, a similar lower hinge indicated generally at 76, and at least oneelongated torsion spring. Preferably and as shown, upper and lowertorsion springs 78 and 80 are provided for each door.

Each of the hinges 74 and 76 comprises a pin element which includes apin 82 and an integrally formed transversely extending support portionor member 84. The pins project generally longitudinally and have theirupper ends exposed and the support members or portions of the pinelements are fixedly secured to the flange 26.

Each of the hinges 74 and 76 also includes an apertured pin receivingelement 86. The pin receiving elements 86 loosely receive the pins 82,82 so as to be rotatable thereabout and said elements are fixedlymounted on the outer flanges of their respective doors. The manner inwhich the receiving elements 86, 86 are mounted on the flange 62 of theright-hand door 54 is illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6.

In FIG. 7 the upper hinge 74 on the left-hand door 52 is shown with itsparts disengaged. Referring particularly to FIG. 7, it will be apparentthat the doors 52 and 54 can be conveniently assembled with theassembled door frame by moving the doors longitudinally downwardly toengage the receiving elements 86 with the pins 82 of the upper and lowerhinges 74 and 76. When the hinge elements are so engaged, the supportelements 84 secure the doors against longitudinal downward movement inthe direction of inclination of the top walls 20 and 22 of the frameside members, but the doors are free to move upwardly so as to disengagethe hinge elements.

The torsion springs 78 and mentioned above bias the left and right-handdoors 52 and 54 toward their open positions and they also serve tosecure said doors 1ongitudinally with respect to the assembled framecomprising the side frame members 10 and 12, etc. As best shown in FIG.4, the door 54 is provided with upper and lower brackets 88 and 90. Saidbrackets have transversely extending openings 92, 92 which respectivelyreceive and hold transverse projections 94 and 96 formed respectively atthe upper end of the upper torsion spring '78 and at the lower end ofthe lower torsion spring 80. At its lower end, the upper torsion spring78 is provided with a transverse projection 98 which is entered in andheld within a transverse opening 100 in an upper bracket 102 secured ata central portion of the flange 26. A transverse projection 104 at theupper end of the lower torsion spring 80 is entered in and held withinan opening 106 in a lower bracket 108 secured on a central portion ofthe flange 26.

As best shown in FIG. 8, the projections at opposite ends of the torsionsprings extend at right angles with respect to each other. The springsare in a relaxed or slightly twisted condition when the doors are in theopen positions. When the doors are moved to'their closed positions,their associated torsion springs are substantially twisted and when thedoors are subsequently opened, the said springs assist the operator inlifting the doors.

The manner in which the torsion springs secure the doors againstrelative longitudinal movement will be apparent from the foregoing. Thetransverse end portions or projections on the springs are entered withintheir respective transverse bracket openings to prevent such doormovement. Moreover, it is preferred that the upper and lower springs 78and 80 be slightly bowed as shown. When the springs are so bowed, theupper springs urge the doors upwardly and the lower springs urge thedoors downwardly with substantially equal force to prevent even nominalrelative longitudinal door movement.

A means for securing the doors in the open position is preferably alsoprovided. As best shown in FIG. 9, the right-hand door 54 is providedwith a gravity engaged latch 110 which is hingedly connected to the doorby means of a bracket 112 and a pivot pin 114. The latch 110 has a notch116 which receives the flange 26 when the door is in the open positionto hold the door in such position. When it is desired to close the door,the latch may 'be lifted as by means of foot pressure permitting thedoor to freely close. The left-hand door 52 is provided with a similarlatch 110 adapted to fulfill a similar function.

In FIG. 10 there is shown a latching device for locking the doors 52 and54 in their closed positions. Said device comprises a bracket 118mounted adjacent the inner edge of the right-hand door 54 and a bolt120. The bolt 120 is slidable in apertures 122 and 124 in the bracket118 and has right angularly arranged projections 126 and 128 at oppositeend portions. The projection 126 engages the inner surface of the door52 when the bolt is in a locking position as shown in FIG. 10. When itis desired to open the doors, the projection 128 may be utilized as ahandle to turn the bolt about its centerline and to move the boltrightwandly to Withdraw the projection 126 from beneath the door 52.

The invention claimed is:

1. In a metallic cellar door construction, the combination of similarleft and right-hand sheet metal side frame members each comprising anarrow longitudinally extending top wall inclined from the horizontaland provided with an upright longitudinal flange, a transverse sheetmetal top frame member connected between said left and right-hand framemembers at upper end portions of their top walls, a generallyrectangular left-hand sheet metal door provided with a dependingmarginal flange which is disposed outwardly of and which extendslongitudinally in spaced parallel relationship with said upright flangeon said left-hand side frame member when the door is in a closedposition, a generally rectangular right-hand sheet metal door providedwith a depending marginal flange which is disposed outwardly of andwhich extends longitudinally in spaced parallel relationship with saidupright flange on said right-hand side frame member when the door is ina closed position, and similar left and righthand hinge and springassemblies respectively swingably connecting said left and right-handdoors with said left and right-hand side frame members and biasing saiddoors toward open positions, said left and right-hand hinge and springassemblies being wholly disposed respectively within the spaces betweensaid upright longitudinal flanges on said side frame members and theassociated depending door flanges and each comprising upper and lowerhinges and at least one elongated torsion spring which is connected atopposite ends to the adjacent door and side frame member.

2. The combination in a cellar door construction as set forth in claim 1wherein each of said hinges comprises a pin element and an apertured pinreceiving element, one of said elements being fixedly mounted on theadjacent door and the other of said elements being fixedly mounted onthe adjacent side frame member, and the said elements of each hingebeing engageable by downwardly inclined longitudinal movement of thedoor rela. tive to the frame and being operative thereafter to securethe door against such movement, and wherein each of said torsion springssecures its associated door against,

upwardly inclined longitudinal movement.

3. The combination in a cellar door construction as set forth in claim 2wherein each pin element comprises a transverse supporting portionconnected with the adjacent upright longitudinal flange and a pinportion which is held by the supporting portion so as to projectlongitudinally upwardly therefrom in transversely spaced relationshipwith said adjacent upright flange, and wherein each apertured element ismounted on the door adjacent thereto and adapted to be engaged with itscorresponding pin element by relative downwardly inclined longitudinalmovement of the door, said supporting portions of said pin elementsserving on engagement with said apertured elements to secure the doorsagainst such movement.

4. The combination in a cellar door construction as set forth in claim 3wherein upper and lower elongated torsion springs are provided for eachdoor, and wherein each of said springs is connected at opposite ends tothe adjacent door and side frame member so as to bias the door towardits open position and to secure the same against downwardly inclinedlongitudinal movement relative to the said side frame member.

5. The combination in a cellar door construction as set forth in claim 4wherein each torsion spring has transverse projections at upper andlower ends, wherein each door is provided with longitudinally spacedupper and lower brackets with transverse openings respectively forreceiving and holding the transverse projections at the up per end ofthe upper torsion spring and at the lower end of the lower torsionspring, and wherein each upright longitudinal flange is providedexteriorly at a central portion with longitudinally adjacent upper andlower brackets having transverse openings respectively for receiving andholding the transverse projections at the lower end of the upper torsionSpring and at the upper end of the lower torsion spring.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,186,517 Ohnstrand June 6, 1916 1,585,653 Dath May 25, 1926 2,443,515Rockwell June 15, 1948 2,682,324 Lyons June 29, 1954 2,904,853 DeverySept. 22, 1959

1. IN A METALLIC CELLAR DOOR CONSTRUCTION, THE COMBINATION OF SIMILARLEFT AND RIGHT-HAND SHEET METAL SIDE FRAME MEMBERS EACH COMPRISING ANARROW LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING TOP WALL INCLINED FROM THE HORIZONTALAND PROVIDED WITH AN UPRIGHT LONGITUDINAL FLANGE, A TRANSVERSE SHEETMETAL TOP FRAME MEMBER CONNECTED BETWEEN SAID LEFT AND RIGHT-HAND FRAMEMEMBERS AT UPPER END PORTIONS OF THEIR TOP WALLS, A GENERALLYRECTANGULAR LEFT-HAND SHEET METAL DOOR PROVIDED WITH A DEPENDINGMARGINAL FLANGE WHICH IS DISPOSED OUTWARDLY OF AND WHICH EXTENDSLONGITUDINALLY IN SPACED PARALLEL RELATIONSHIP WITH SAID UPRIGHT FLANGEON SAID LEFT-HAND SIDE FRAME MEMBER WHEN THE DOOR IS IN A CLOSEDPOSITION, A GENERALLY RECTANGULAR RIGHT-HAND SHEET METAL DOOR PROVIDEDWITH A DEPENDING MARGINAL FLANGE WHICH IS DISPOSED OUTWARDLY OF ANDWHICH EXTENDS LONGITUDINALLY IN SPACED PARALLEL RELATIONSHIP WITH SAIDUPRIGHT FLANGE ON SAID RIGHT-HAND SIDE FRAME MEMBER WHEN THE DOOR IS INA CLOSED POSITION, AND SIMILAR LEFT AND RIGHTHAND HINGE AND SPRINGASSEMBLIES RESPECTIVELY SWINGABLY CONNECTING SAID LEFT AND RIGHT-HANDDOORS WITH SAID LEFT AND RIGHT-HAND SIDE FRAME MEMBERS AND BIASING SAIDDOORS TOWARD OPEN POSITIONS, SAID LEFT AND RIGHT-HAND HINGE AND SPRINGASSEMBLIES BEING WHOLLY DISPOSED RESPECTIVELY WITHIN THE SPACES BETWEENSAID UPRIGHT LONGITUDINAL FLANGES ON SAID SIDE FRAME MEMBERS AND THEASSOCIATED DEPENDING DOOR FLANGES AND EACH COMPRISING UPPER AND LOWERHINGES AND AT LEAST ONE ELONGATED TORSION SPRING WHICH IS CONNECTED ATOPPOSITE ENDS TO THE ADJACENT DOOR AND SIDE FRAME MEMBER.